Google eyes 5G, foldable screens with Android 11 Developer Preview 2

The release is described as still being an early build but one that shows off the main features around 5G connectivity, UI support for foldable screens, a smarter keyboard and faster messaging.

5G

For example, Developer Preview 2 (DP2) adds a 5G state API for checking whether the user is on a 5G New Radio or Non-Standalone network. This API can be used used together with the 5G dynamic ‘meteredness’ API and bandwidth estimator API, as well as existing connectivity APIs.

For new foldable displays, Android 11 will also support a hinge angle sensor, which means that apps can query directly (or through a new AndroidX API) for the precise hinge angle. This is to help create user experiences for foldables.

There’s also support for Synchronized IME transitions (pictured above) – a new set of APIs to synchronise an app’s content with the input method editor (soft keyboard) and system bars as they animate on and offscreen. The idea, according to Google, is to make it easier to “create natural, intuitive and jank-free IME transitions”.

Pixel

Dave Burke, Google’s VP of Engineering, writes:

Today’s release is for developers only and not intended for daily or consumer use, so we’re making it available by manual download and flash only for Pixel 2, 3, 3a, or 4 devices. To make flashing a bit easier, you can optionally get today’s release from the Android Flash Tool. For those already running Developer Preview 1 or 1.1, we’re also offering an over-the-air (OTA) update to today’s release.

Developer Preview has everything you need to try the Android 11 features, test your apps, and give us feedback. Just download and flash a device system image to a Pixel 2 / 2 XL, Pixel 3 / 3 XL, Pixel 3a / 3a XL, or Pixel 4 / 4 XL device, or set up the Android Emulator through Android Studio. Next, update your Android Studio environment with the Android 11 Preview SDK and tools, see the set up guide for details.

Timeline

When will Android 11 appear? There are expected to be further Beta releases in May and June with the full release scheduled for Q3.

Burke adds:

We’re working to make updates faster and smoother by prioritizing app compatibility as we roll out new platform versions. In Android 11 we’ve added new processes, tools, and release milestones to minimize the impact of platform updates and make them easier for developers.

With Developer Preview 2, we’re well into the release and getting closer to Beta. so now is the time to start your compatibility testing and identify any work you’ll need to do. We recommend doing the work early, so you can release a compatible update by Android 11 Beta 1. This lets you get feedback from the larger group of Android 11 Beta users.

There’s more on the timeline here, and you can read more about Developer Preview 2 on the Android developers blog.